Caries Risk Assessment Using the Caries Management by Risk Assessment (CAMBRA) Protocol among the General Population of Sakaka, Saudi Arabia—A Cross-Sectional Study
Azhar Iqbal, Osama Khattak, Farooq Ahmad Chaudhary, Meshal Aber Al Onazi, Hmoud Ali Algarni, Thani Alsharari, Abdullah Alshehri, Mohammed Mustafa, Rakhi Issrani, Ebtehal Yanallah Mohamed Alghamdi, Alaa Yahya Ali Alghamdi, Nojoud Omar Ahmad Balubaid
Abstract
Background: Caries risk assessment is a useful tool in caries prevention and management. Using a tool such as CAMBRA, every individual can be assessed according to his or her disease indicators, risk factors, and protective factors for the current and future caries. Aim: This study aimed to assess caries risk among the general population of Sakaka, Saudi Arabia using the CAMBRA protocol. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at university dental clinics using a questionnaire that was formulated using the CAMBRA caries risk assessment tool; afterwards, all 160 participants were intra-orally examined to assess oral hygiene status and presence of disease. Independent t-tests, ANOVAs, and chi-square tests were performed for analysis. Results: The majority of participants had one or more disease indicators, with white spots and visible cavities (71.3%), and the most commonly present risk factor was visible heavy plaque on teeth (82.5%). The use of fluoridated toothpaste (92.5%) was the most common protective factor. The majority of participants (85%) were in the ‘High’ category of Caries risk assessment. The prevalence of high caries risk was significantly higher among the rural participants compared to the urban (p <0.05), and significantly fewer of those with a primary school education level or lower were in the high dental caries risk group compared to the other educational categories (p <0.001). Conclusion: The caries risk among the general population of Sakaka, Saudi Arabia, is high, with significant variation among age groups, education levels, and geographical locations.